I was home...

Now I'm back. I made a quick trip to the Island last Wednesday and got back here this Wednesday. I had a good visit with Mom and Dad, and got some projects done and underway while there.

 

I flew out of Lincoln at 6am, changed planes in Chicago, changed planes and went through customs in Montreal, and landed in Moncton at 5:30 pm. Marcia's son Alan met me at the airport, gave me Jim's Corolla, and I drove to the house, arriving 9:30pm. All in all a quick and painless trip, relatively speaking.  

The next moring the skies were clear and it was warmish. The grass is coming up and the house looks great.

 

I went to Charlottetown to do some shopping and other errands, and had to take a picture of Beaconsfield, the headquarters of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, of which I have been a member since 1982.

I also took a photo of the Lieutenant Governor's mansion Fanningbank. These are in my opinion the 2 finest houses on the Island, after the house at the River of course.

I went to Home Depot and ordered blinds for the bathroom, Mom and Dad's bedroom and the kitchen. I also picked out and got a quote on the subway tile and marble chair rail that will go into the basement bathroom. This is the marble chair rail below. I plan on getting that bathroom finished in the next couple of months.

 More on the trip to come...

Iceberg in the Strait

Sandy sent me these photos of an iceberg in the Northumberland Strait, just off the coast at Canoe Cove. Seems this is a rarity. Beautiful but cold looking day. Thanks for the photos Sandy.

 

James and Betty at the River

James took Betty and Sarah to the Island on Friday in his 4Runner. Sarah had played three hockey games and, as James put it, lost, tied and won. She made 4 out of 5 goals and assisted on the 5th. She is a very talented athlete, way to go Sarah!!

 

They stayed with Ralta in Charlottetown, and James and Betty got away for a little while on Friday and visited Mom and Dad. While there, James took these photos.  

 kitchen door

 First time I've seen the chairs since Mom painted them to match the kitchen.

 Poor old garage. Time permitting, I might take it down this summer.

 James' 4Runner

The new lane. What a mucky mess

Dad put up stakes so they can follow the driveway when there is a lot of snow. I hope to get a hedge growing along the driveway to act as a snow fence and hold the bank.

Thanks James for the photos. Always good the see how the house is doing.

Picture from Ralta

My cousin Ralta sent me this wonderful photograph just now. That's Wayne, Ralta, Mom and Dad, with me in front! I look about 2 I would guess, so this would be summer of 1969. We are in front of Uncle Danny and Aunt Winnie's house at the top of the hill.

Thanks so much Ralta, I truly appreciate it! I love seeing and posting old family pictures.  

George and Kate

Mom and Dad gave me for Christmas these pictures of Kate (Catherine, nee MacSwain) and George Lowe, who lived in the house from 1907 until theuir deaths. The pictures were given to Mom by Jane Aucoin, a grand-niece of Kate's who happens to attend Mom and Dad's church in Murray River. They got to talking and discovered the connection. These are studio photographs and judging by their clothes and their ages, I am guessing these were taken around 1900, maybe before, and the background matches so I'm assuming they were taken at the same time.

Below is their headstone in the Murray River cemetery, a photo I took in 2008. He would have turned 27 in 1900, and she 28. Just guessing, but they could be younger than that a the time that these photographs were taken. I wonder if these were taken at the time of their marriage? Often back then, if you could afford it, you had individual studio photos taken of bride and groom, more often than a picture of them together. White wedding dresses were not the norm yet either, so its a possibility. I have some family information on George and Kate (read on) but no wedding date, which would have helped.

Below is information on the Lowe family that was sent to me by Donna Collings, Curator of the Garden of the Gulf Museum in Montague, and coincidentally, grand-neice of George's.

 

Link to the Museum website:

 

Garden of the Gulf Museum

 

Husband: Joseph T. Lowe, Jr.
        Born: 12 March 1797 in Colchester, Essex, England 
        Died: 25 June 1859 in ? 
        Buried: in possibly Murray River (Wilmot, Gladstone) Pioneer

        Cemetery, PEI (no stone) 
        Father: Joseph T. Lowe, Sr.
        Mother: Elizabeth Urla Vail
Joseph immigrated to Murray River, Prince Edward Island in 1819 with his stepfather Philip Sanders. The Lowe's of Murray River area are descendants of this Joseph.

Joseph and Margaret's land is where the Murray River (Wilmot) Pioneer Cemetery is located. He made his will on March 8, 1859 and it was proved on June 25, 1859, witnesses to his will were David Johnston, James McKerson (MacPherson), and Isaac A. Bears.

Wife: Margaret Johnstone
        Married: 7 December 1829 in St. Paul's Anglican Church,

         Charlottetown, PEI 
         Born: in Scotland 
         Died: in ? 
        Buried: in possibly Murray River (Wilmot, Gladstone) Pioneer

         Cemetery, PEI 
        Father: ?
        Mother: ?
Alternate spelling of her name Johnston.

Child 1: Jane Rachel Lowe
        Born: 9 February 1831 in ?  
        Died: 11 September 1916 in ? 
       Buried: in Murray River (Wilmot, Gladstone) Pioneer

        Cemetery, PEI
        Spouse: Ambrose Cleaves Horton born 11 October 1824  died 28

         August 1912 
        Married: 8 Nov 1854 in PEI by Rev. Donald McDonald 
Witnesses to their marriage were John H. Bear and Philip Blake. Alternate date of birth for Jane gravestone 1830.

Child 2: Thomas Johnston Low
       Born: 22 Feb 1834 in Gladstone, PEI 
       Baptized: 30 Mar 1834 in PEI by Rev. Cooney 
       Died: 14 May 1908 in ?  
       Buried: in Murray River (Wilmot, Gladstone) Pioneer

       Cemetery, PEI
       Married: 20 Jun 1861 in PEI by Rev. Jesse Whitlock, to

       Sarah Bell born 21 October 1832 died 11 February 1899 
           Father: James Bell, Sr.
           Mother: Mary Watson

Sarah had one child before her marriage to Thomas Lowe. Witnesses to Thomas and Sarah marriage were William Hawkins and Sarah Sencabaugh. Their property was where the Wilmot Pioneer Cemetery is located in Gladstone, PEI.

 

1881 PEI census Lot 64:  Thomas Lowe, age 47; wife Sarah, age 49; ch: James, age 19; Mary, age 17; Philip, age 15; Margaret, age 12; Demaras, age 10; George, age 7; Etta, age 1; Elizabeth Bell, age 25; - all born PEI.

 

1891 PEI census Lot 64:  Thomas, age 57, farmer;  father b. England;  mother b. Scotland;  wf:  Sara, age 59,  father b. England,  mother b. Scotland, Philip, age 25, farmer;  Francis, age 20;  George, age 17;  Henrietta, age 2; also listed in home:  Mary J. Keenan, age 28;  Sarah J., age __;  Margaret,
age 2.

 

Thomas' will was made 20 March 1908, lists his son Philip John Lowe, who inherited the property.

                    Child 1: Elizabeth Ann 'Lizzie' Bell
                               Born: 4 April 1855 in PEI (see note 1)
                               Died: 18 February 1915 in PEI age 59 yrs. 10 mos. 
                               Buried: in Murray River (Wilmot, Gladstone)

                               Pioneer Cemetery, PEI
                               Spouse: John P. Brennan born ca 1854
Elizabeth was stepdaughter to Thomas Lowe born to Sara out of wedlock. Time of 1881 PEI census Elizabeth was living with Thomas and Sara. There are two stories on why Elizabeth and John never married until later years. (1.) Tradition has Elizabeth was Protestant and her husband John was of the Roman Catholic faith. He wasn't allowed to marry her or he would be disinherited, they had a daughter before they married. Elizabeth went to the United States to work for a time, later when John's father died she married John. (2.) In notes of Oma (Blanche Hollinghurst). Oma's grandmother wouldn't let Elizabeth marry John as he was a Catholic and they had to wait until after her death to marry.

                     Child 2: James Watson 'Jim' Lowe
                                Born: 23 August 1861 in Gladstone, PEI
                                Baptized: 18 May 1862 in PEI by Rev. McDonald
                                Died: 15 July 1951 in Quincy, Mass., USA
                                Buried: in ?
                                Spouse: Mary Ann MacDonald born 15 August

                                1870 

                                died 17 March 1953
                                Married: in ?

                     Child 3: Mary Jane Lowe
                                Born: 10 November 1863 in Gladstone, PEI
                                Baptized: 1 February 1864 in PEI by Rev. Donald

                                McDonald
                                Died: 20 February 1918 in ?
                                Buried: in ?
                                Spouse #1: Thomas Keenan
                                Married: Jul 1884 in ?
                                Spouse #2: William Allen
Mary Jane and Thomas marriage bondsman was Philip John Lowe (her brother). Mary lived with her parents Thomas Johnston and Sarah Lowe time of 1891 PEI census, also living in household were her two children Sarah and Margaret Keenan.

 

Mary Jane had a daughter Enora born 1903 died 1918, buried at Murray River, which husband was Enora's father?

                       Child 4: Philip John 'Phil' Lowe
                                 Born: 25 March 1866 in Gladstone, PEI
                                 Baptized: 29 January 1868 in PEI by Rev. James

                                 McColl
                                 Died: 30 August 1952 in PEI at age 86 yrs. 
                                 Buried: in Murray River Cemetery, PEI
                                 Occupation: Farmer, Merchant
                                 Spouse: Mary Hume born 3 August 1873
                                 Married: 1 October 1891 in Georgetown, PEI by

                                  Reverend W.A. Mason
Philip and Mary's marriage bond was signed 1 Oct 1891, bondsman George Hume, tanner, Philip Lowe, bachelor and Mary Hume, spinster. Their bond was issued the same day as their marriage license, witnesses to their marriage were George Hume and Isabella Lowe. Philip and Mary lived in Gladstone, PEI. He had red hair. After their marriage break up he went to California, USA to live
with his sons for a number of years because of his asthma. He then moved back to live Gladstone Road, Murray River, PEI and owned and operated a general store in Murray River, this store was later owned and remodeled by Bev Baird. Philip spent his last years in Beach Grove nursing home until time of his death.

                       Child 5: Margaret Catherine 'Maggie' Lowe
                                  Born: 17 June 1868 in Gladstone, PEI
                                  Died: 23 September 1910 age 42 yrs.
                                  Buried: in Murray River Cemetery, PEI
                                  Spouse: Calvin 'Cal' MacLeod born 23 July 1858 

                                  died 15 January 1939
                                  Married: 11 April 1885 in ?
                                  Maggie and Calvin's marriage bondsman was

                                  Archibald Bowles.

                       Child 6: Francis Demas 'Frank' Lowe
                                  Born: 15 March 1871 in Gladstone, PEI
                                  Died: 26 September 1904 in PEI age 33
                                  Buried: in Murray River (Wilmot, Gladstone)

                                  Pioneer Cemetery, PEI
                                  Occupation: Carpenter
Donna Collings: "One time we had a large tool chest that was made by Frank, my grandfather Frank Lowe's uncle, his namesake, given to my grandfather when he was a boy about nine years of age after uncle's death in 1904. Frank never married."

                        Child 7: George Smith Lowe
                                  Born: 21 August 1873 in Gladstone, PEI
                                  Baptized: 29 August 1875 in PEI by Rev. Goodwill
                                  Died: 12 July 1948 in Murray River, PEI
                                  Buried: in Murray River Cemetery, PEI
                                  Occupation: Carpenter
                                  Spouse: Catherine 'Kate' (McSwain) MacSwain

                                 born 1872 died 18 June 1945 
                                  Married: in ?
PEI 1928 Cummins atlas. George Lowe, carpenter, wife, Catherine MacSwain. Geoge had no issue. George left his property to his house keeper Mary Ann (MacDonald) Buell.

                        Child 8: Henrietta Johnston 'Etta' Lowe
                                   Born: 26 January 1876 in ?
                                   Baptized: 17 June 1876 in PEI by Rev. Goodwill
                                   Died: in ?
                                   Buried: in ?

 

Child 3: Phillip Lowe
        Born: 1836 in PEI 
        Died: 11 Apr 1923 in ? age 87 yrs 
        Buried: in Alma Cemetery, NS 
        Spouse: Catherine Jardine born ca 1831 died 30 November 1923 
        Married: 21 Jan 1869 in Church of Scotland, NS 
Family Bible belonging to the late Lulu Lowe has Philip born 1836. Philip moved from Gladstone, PEI to Mount William, NS, married and settled there. Marriage record for  Philip Lowe, age 28, bachelor, farmer to Catherine Porter, age 34, widow, parents of Philip, Joseph and Marg (Margaret) Lowe, parents of Catherine, Joseph and Elizabeth Jardine.

Child 4: John Thomas Lowe
         Born: 1842 in PEI 
         Died: 1920 in ? 
         Buried: in Murray River Cemetery, PEI # 149 
         Spouse: Elizabeth White born 1846  died 1921 
         Married: 20 July 1864 in PEI by Rev. Donald McDonald 
Witnesses to John and Elizabeth marriage were Finlay MacDonald and George MacLeod. 1881 PEI Census for Lot 64: family of John Lowe, age 39; wf: Elizabeth, age 34; ch: Margaret, age 13; Joseph, age 10; Isabella, age 8; Frances, age 5; Watson, age 3; John, age 1; mother-in-law: Elizabeth White, age 70; all born PEI.

1891 PEI Census: John Lowe, age 49,  wf; Elizabeth, age 44,  ch: Joseph, age 20, Isabelle, age 18,  John, age 11,  David J., age 9,  Fannie, age 7,  Sarah E., age 2, mother-in-law; Elizabeth White, age 84.

Child 5: Margaret Lowe 
          Born: ca 1843 in ? 
          Died: 29 February 1876 in ? age 33 yrs 
          Buried: in New Dominion Cemetery, Lot 67, PEI 
          Spouse: George Smith
          Married: 14 May 1867 in ?  
Marriage for George Smith, bachelor to Margaret Lowe, spinster, witnesses were John Smith and Barbara MacKay. One child.

Child 6: Catherine 'Katie' Lowe
          Born: 4 June 1846 in ? 
          Died: 27 Oct 1916 in Gaspereaux, PEI of pneumonia age 70 
          Buried: 29 Oct 1916 in Murray Harbour North Cemetery, PEI
          Spouse: David Sencabaugh born 23 May 1833 died 19 June 1896 
          Married: 14 Jul 1870 in PEI by Rev. Stephen G. Lawson 
David was a widower and Catherine a spinster at time of their  marriage, witnesses were James McKay & Mrs. S.G. Lawson.

Newspaper  Memoriam 1916..... "Mrs. David Sencabaugh. There passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. MacLean Graham, Gasperaux, Lot 63, on October 27th, Catherine Lowe, relict of the late David Sencabaugh of that place. Mrs. Sencabaugh and reached the good age of 70 years, and had been in fair health until stricken with pneumonia which in a few days resulted in her death.
Three sons, David, Wilbert and Garfield, and three daughters, Mrs. MacLean Graham, Mrs. James P. Clow, and Mrs. Fred Llewellyn, as well as two brothers, John Lowe and Philip Lowe, are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother and sister. The funeral service was conducted on Sunday, October 29, by Rev. Mr. Sutherland, and was largely attended by friends and neighbours."

 

Thank you Donna for the Lowe family information.

December 9th, 1912

That was the day that Grammy, Janie Evelyn Buell was born. Yesterday would have been her 100th birthday. It is over 15 years now since she passed away. Of all of her brothers and sisters, Maria, Albert, Clara, Jemima, Alex, Freeman, Katie, Myrtle, Lewis, Walter, Eileen and Parker, only Eileen is left, who will be 92 on New Year's Eve.

 

I took this of Grammy late summer 1986. She and I were staying at the house together, and we got up early to pack up, close up the house, and go back to Moncton for another winter. This was the first time she had been to the house after Grampy died the previous April.

Below is the previous summer, the last time Grampy was there.

I took this in 1995. It turned out to be the last time Grammy was on the Island.

Janie and Arthur before they were married, 1931

Miss them both

Parlour Floor

It's been a long time coming but the tile and the maple flooring in the Parlour are installed! The tile at the entry was put in a couple of weeks ago, and as soon as that was done, I called Royalty Hardwoods at Pooles Corner and set up a date for the maple floor to be put in, and that was done last Saturday. It took them only 3 hours to get it done! We had picked it out in July, but had to wait until the tile was in before getting that installed.

Below are four pictures sent to me by the installer. He contracts with Royalty Hardwoods, and will be back later this week to install the doors between the Parlour and Dining Room, and Parlour and Butler's Pantry.

The tile is placed roughly where originally there was an entry vestibule, with walls and a door to the original Parlour. George Lowe must have removed the walls of the vestibule and then divided the Parlour into a Hallway and Bedroom when he added the Kitchen, pre-1916. When he did that, the original Dining Room became the Parlour, and the Kitchen became the Dining Room. So now, the layout of the house is closer to what it was when the house was built.

The wooden transition strip bridges the gap between the tile and the maple, and allows expansion so the wood doesn't crack the tile in the future. It doesn't come prefinished, so Dad will match a sample of the maple with a stain to finish that himself.

These photos below were taken later by Lois. Mom and Dad have already started to move some furniture in. That is Mom's grandmother's Singer sewing machine between the front door and the stairs door.

Mom and Dad cleaned, stripped, sanded, primed and painted the old trim and put it back up around the door to the second floor after the tile was in.

They have purchased a new couch and they can now have it delivered. The TV and other furnishings will be moved from the basement to the Parlour by Christmas. They will finally be able to set up cable and watch TV shows for the first time since they moved in 18 months ago!  

These are old curtains of mine that I sent to Mom and they put them up in the Parlour, the first curtains in the house!

That is Granny's (Mom's mother) rocking chair in the corner

What is left to do regarding construction in the Parlour is to install the old trim around three doors, have the picture rail made and installed all around the ceiling, and have the baseboards put in. They will get new 1x8 for the baseboards. The original apparently went in the dump when the old floor fell out as the house was lifted for the new foundation.

 

Beyond that, Dad plans on refinishing the old mantle over the winter, and all that will be left to complete the Parlour is to get the two sconces for above the mantle, and to hang the wallpaper, which I can't wait to do next summer.

Thanks once again for the pictures Lois. It's great to see the progress.